U.S. patent application number 12/537545 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-10 for method and apparatus for supporting a drainage bag.
Invention is credited to Beverly A. Smith.
Application Number | 20110034889 12/537545 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43535367 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110034889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Beverly A. |
February 10, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A DRAINAGE BAG
Abstract
An application for a drainage bag support includes a belt that
has at least one way to engaging with an animate object (person).
The belt has an inwardly facing surface that rests against the
animate object and an outwardly facing surface facing away from the
animate object. At least one fastening station is/are positioned on
the outwardly facing surface of the belt. One or more fasteners
interface one or more drainage bags to one or more of the fastening
stations, thereby supporting the drainage bags by the belt.
Inventors: |
Smith; Beverly A.; (Largo,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LARSON AND LARSON
11199 69TH STREET NORTH
LARGO
FL
33773
US
|
Family ID: |
43535367 |
Appl. No.: |
12/537545 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/449 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/327 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/44 20060101
A61F005/44 |
Claims
1. A drainage bag support comprising: a belt having a means for
engaging with an animate object, the belt having an inwardly facing
surface that rests against the animate object and an outwardly
facing surface facing away from the animate object; at least one
fastening station positioned on the outwardly facing surface of the
belt; and one or more means for fastening one or more drainage bags
to one or more of the fastening stations, thereby supporting the
drainage bags by the belt.
2. The drainage bag support of claim 1, wherein the belt has a
first end and a distal second end and the means for engaging is
hook and loop material on the outwardly facing surface of the first
end and mating hook and loop material on the inwardly facing
surface of the second end.
3. The drainage bag support of claim 1, wherein the belt is a
continuous loop of a stretchable material and the means for
engaging includes tension provided by the stretchable material
after the belt is stretched to engage with the animate object.
4. The drainage bag support of claim 1, wherein the animate object
is a waist of a person.
5. The drainage bag support of claim 1, wherein the means for
fastening is a safety pin.
6. The drainage bag support of claim 1, wherein the means for
fastening is a clip.
7. The drainage bag support of claim 1, wherein the means for
fastening is a loop of material.
8. The drainage bag support of claim 7, wherein an end of the loop
of material passes through the fastening station and removably
attaches to a mid section of the loop of material by another set of
hook and loop material.
9. A method of supporting a drainage bag, the method comprising:
providing a drainage bag support, the drainage bag support having a
belt, the belt made of a continuous loop of a stretchable material,
the belt having an inwardly facing surface facing toward the center
of the continuous loop and an outwardly facing surface facing away
from the center of the continuous loop; the drainage bag support
also having at least one fastening station positioned on the
outwardly facing surface of the belt; stretching the belt to engage
the belt with an area of an animate object; releasing the belt, the
belt therefore contracting around the area of the animate object;
and affixing one or more drainage bag to one or more of the
fastening stations.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the animate object is a person
and the step of stretching includes stretching the belt enough to
clear legs and a buttock of the person.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of affixing uses a clip
to affix an appendage of the drainage bags to one or more of the
fastening stations.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of affixing uses a
safety pin to affix an appendage of the drainage bags to one or
more of the fastening stations.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of affixing uses a loop
of material to affix an appendage of the drainage bags to one or
more of the fastening stations.
14. A method of supporting a drainage bag, the method comprising:
providing a drainage bag support, the drainage bag support having a
belt, the belt having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly
facing surface facing opposite of the inwardly facing surface; the
belt having hook and loop material on the outwardly facing surface
at a first end of the belt and the belt having mating hook and loop
material on the inwardly facing surface at a second end of the
belt, the drainage bag support also having at least one fastening
station positioned on the outwardly facing surface of the belt;
passing the belt around an area of an animate object; engaging the
hook and loop material with the mating hook and loop material,
thereby securing the belt around the area of the animate object;
and affixing one or more drainage bag to one or more of the
fastening stations.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the animate object is a person
and the step of engaging includes passing the belt around a waist
of the person.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of affixing uses a
clip to affix an appendage of the drainage bags to one or more of
the fastening stations.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of affixing uses a
safety pin to affix an appendage of the drainage bags to one or
more of the fastening stations.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of affixing uses a
loop of material to affix an appendage of the drainage bags to one
or more of the fastening stations.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of medicine and more
particularly to an apparatus for supporting a drainage device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] After a surgery, the individual often has one or more
drainage bags for draining the incision. The drainage bags are
connected to tubes that interface with the incision, thereby
draining any seepage from the incision through the tube(s) and into
the drainage bag(s). Many times, the drainage bags are simply
supported by the tubes, placing stress on the incision, causing
discomfort to the patient and increasing the risk of the tubes
being pulled out of the incision.
[0003] To improve this situation, the drainage bag(s) are sometimes
affixed to the patient's surgical dressing or gown with a safety
pin. Attaching to the dressing initially works when the dressing is
substantial, but as the patient heals, the size and thickness of
the dressing reduces, making it difficult to support the drainage
bag(s). Attaching to the gown helps, but there is still the risk of
pulling the tubes out of the incision.
[0004] Other solutions have been attempted. Healing Enhancements
(see www.healingenhancements.com/surgical drainbags.aspx) markets a
waist purse that holds one or more drainage bags. This device is
similar to a fanny pack, is large and more complicated than is
needed.
[0005] What is needed is an apparatus that will hold one or more
drain bags without undue material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, a drainage bag support is disclosed
including a belt that has at least one way to engaging with an
animate object. The belt has an inwardly facing surface that rests
against the animate object and an outwardly facing surface facing
away from the animate object. At least one fastening station is/are
positioned on the outwardly facing surface of the belt. One or more
fasteners interface one or more drainage bags to one or more of the
fastening stations, thereby supporting the drainage bags by the
belt. The animate object is preferably a person and the belt is
typically installed around the waist of the person, though it is
anticipated that the present invention is equally applicable to
other animate objects (e.g. livestock, pets, wild animals, etc.)
and/or other areas of the animate objects (e.g. around a neck, arm,
leg, wing, tail, fin, etc.).
[0007] In another embodiment, a method of supporting a drainage bag
is disclosed including providing a drainage bag support that has a
belt and one or more fastening stations. The belt is made of a
continuous loop of a stretchable material and has an inwardly
facing surface facing toward the center of the continuous loop and
an outwardly facing surface facing away from the center of the
continuous loop. The fastening station(s) are positioned on the
outwardly facing surface of the belt. The method includes
stretching the belt to engage the belt with an area of an animate
object then releasing the belt, the belt therefore contracting
around the area of the animate object do to the force of
contraction of the belt. Once released and in place, one or more
drainage bags are affixed to one or more of the fastening
stations.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method of supporting a drainage bag
is disclosed including providing a drainage bag support that
includes a belt and at least one fastening station. The belt has an
inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface facing
opposite of the inwardly facing surface. The belt also has hook and
loop material on the outwardly facing surface at a first end of the
belt and mating hook and loop material on the inwardly facing
surface at a second end of the belt. The fastening stations are
positioned on the outwardly facing surface of the belt. The method
includes passing the belt around an area of an animate object (e.g.
the waist of a person) then engaging the hook and loop material
with the mating hook and loop material, thereby securing the belt
around the area of the animate object. Once secured around the area
of the animate object, one or more drainage bags are affixed to one
or more of the fastening stations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention can be best understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system of the
prior art.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a second perspective view of a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of both embodiments of
the present invention using a clip to fasten the drainage bag.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of both embodiments of
the present invention using a hook and loop system to fasten the
drainage bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following
detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same
elements in all figures.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a system of the
prior art is shown. After an operation, often a drainage bag 50 is
interfaced to the wound 42 (shown with sutures 44) through a
drainage tube 52 that interfaces with a nipple 53 on the drainage
bag. Although shown as a typical drainage bag 50, there are many
known shapes and types of drainage bags 50 and the present
invention is not limited to any particular type, shape, size or
compositions of drainage bag 50. This exemplary drainage bag 50 has
a drain 54 used, for example, to empty the contents of the drainage
bag. The drainage bag 50 also has an appendage 56 that provides a
way to fasten the drainage bag 50 to something. In this example of
the prior art, the drainage bag 50 is attached by a safety pin 58
that interfaces with both the appendage 56 and the dressing 40 that
covers the wound 42. Note the dressing 40 is not shown covering the
wound 42 to illustrate the operation of the drainage bag 50 and
drainage tube 52.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a first
embodiment of the present invention is shown. The drainage bag
support system 10 of the present invention includes a belt 12
having one or more fastening stations 14 on an external surface of
the belt 12. The belt 12 is placed around a person's waist, body or
appendage and fastened to itself with hook and loop material 16/18,
keeping the belt in place around the waist, body or appendage.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, a second perspective view of a first
embodiment of the present invention is shown. The drainage bag
support system 10 as described with FIG. 2 is shown positioned
around a person's waist 38 and fastened to itself with the hook and
loop material 16/18, keeping the belt in place around the waist 38.
The drainage bag 50 is pinned to one of the fastening stations 14
with a safety pin 58 or other suitable fastener that interfaces the
appendage 56 of the drainage bag 50 to one of the fastening station
14. It is anticipated that multiple drainage bags 50 are fastened
to one or more of the fastening stations 14, as needed.
[0020] For brevity reasons, the drainage bag drain 54 and nipple 53
are shown. In typical use, a drainage tube 52 (see FIG. 1) is
connected at one end to the nipple 53 and at a distal end the
drainage tube 52 interfaces with the wound 42 (see FIG. 1)
requiring drainage.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a second
embodiment of the present invention is shown. The drainage bag
support system 10a is shown positioned around a person's waist 38.
In this version of the drainage bag support system 10a, the belt
portion 12a is stretchable as would be the waist band of underwear.
The belt portion 12a is stretched to allow the belt portion 12a to
be placed around the person's waist 38 (as shown), body or
appendage. Once in place, the elastic action of the belt portion
12a keeps the belt in place around, for example, the person's the
waist 38. As in the prior example, the drainage bag 50 is pinned to
one of the fastening stations 14 with a safety pin 58 or other
suitable fastener that interfaces the appendage 56 of the drainage
bag 50 to one of the fastening station 14. It is anticipated that
multiple drainage bags 50 are fastened to one or more of the
fastening stations 14, as needed.
[0022] As in FIG. 3, the drainage bag drain 54 and nipple 53 are
shown. In typical use, a drainage tube 52 (see FIG. 1) is connected
at one end to the nipple 53 and at a distal end the drainage tube
52 interfaces with the wound 42 (see FIG. 1) requiring
drainage.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of both embodiments
of the present invention using a clip to fasten the drainage bag is
shown. The drainage bag support system 10/10a as described with
FIG. 2 is shown positioned around a person's waist 38 and held in
place by, for example, the hook and loop material 16/18 or the
elastic belt portion 12a, keeping the belt in place around the
waist 38. In this example, the drainage bag 50 is clipped to one of
the fastening stations 14 with a clip 60, interfacing the appendage
56 of the drainage bag 50 to one of the fastening station 14. It is
anticipated that multiple drainage bags 50 are fastened to one or
more of the fastening stations 14, as needed, using one or more
clips 60.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of both embodiments
of the present invention using a hook and loop system to fasten the
drainage bag is shown. The drainage bag support system 10 as
described with FIG. 2 is shown positioned around a person's waist
38 and held in place by, for example, the hook and loop material
16/18 or the elastic belt portion 12a, keeping the belt in place
around the waist 38. In this example, the drainage bag 50 is
secured to one of the fastening stations 14 with a loop 62 on the
appendage 56 that fastens to itself as known in the industry. For
example, the end portion has hook and loop material that holds to
mating hook and loop material on a mid-portion of the appendage 56.
Another example uses a snap at the end portion that snaps to a
mating snap on a mid-portion of the appendage 56. Another example
uses a button on the mid-portion of the appendage 56 that
interfaces with a button hole located on the end of the loop. The
loop 62 affixes the appendage 56 of the drainage bag 50 to one of
the fastening station 14. It is anticipated that multiple drainage
bags 50 are fastened to one or more of the fastening stations 14,
as needed, using one or more clips 60.
[0025] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set
forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner
in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same
result.
[0026] It is believed that the system and method of the present
invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood
by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be
apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction
and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of
its material advantages. The form herein before described being
merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the
intention of the following claims to encompass and include such
changes.
* * * * *
References